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Showing Original Post only (View all)Wyden Statement on President Obama’s Proposed Reforms to the FISC and PATRIOT ACT [View all]
Wyden Statement on President Obamas Proposed Reforms to the FISC and PATRIOT ACT
Friday, August 9, 2013
Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement regarding President Obamas announcement of potential reforms to Section 215 of the PATRIOT ACT and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
http://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-statement-on-president-obamas-proposed-reforms-to-the-fisc-and-patriot-act
Friday, August 9, 2013
Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement regarding President Obamas announcement of potential reforms to Section 215 of the PATRIOT ACT and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
Many of the reforms proposed by the President stem from suggestions made by myself and my colleagues to deal with the severe threat to civil liberties posed by current surveillance authorities and programs. While more details are clearly necessary, the Presidents proposals are certainly encouraging steps toward bringing about the kind of civil liberty protections that I and others have been working to achieve for several years.
The president outlined proposed reforms to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court -- the most one-sided court in the nation -- that include making the FISC a truly adversarial court by creating an advocate who could challenge the assertions made by the government during court proceedings. This is an essential reform that I completely support, as is the releasing of the legal rationale for the bulk collection of Americans phone records and other important legal documents that explain what authorities the government believes it has when it comes to the collection of Americans communications.
The President also stated that he would support reforms to section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act, which is the provision of the law that has been secretly interpreted to allow the government to engage in the bulk collection of Americans' records. I have seen absolutely zero evidence that the bulk collection of Americans' phone records under Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act has provided any unique value to intelligence gathering or actually made Americans any safer, so I believe that these reforms should ensure that bulk collection is ended.
I will work closely with my colleagues and the President to seek that repeal and ensure that whatever reforms are made to this problematic law strengthen civil liberty protections as much as possible.
Notably absent from President Obamas speech was any mention of closing the backdoor searches loophole that potentially allows for the warrantless searches of Americans' phone calls and emails under section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. I believe that this provision requires significant reforms as well and I will continue to fight to close that loophole. I am also concerned that the executive branch has not fully acknowledged the extent to which violations of FISC orders and the spirit of the law have already had a significant impact on Americans' privacy.
Overall, I welcome the proposals made today by the President and intend to work closely with my colleagues, including Senators Udall, Leahy, Blumenthal, Merkley and Feinstein and Reps. Sensenbrenner and Lofgren, to ensure that the presidents proposals are strengthened and become law.
http://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-statement-on-president-obamas-proposed-reforms-to-the-fisc-and-patriot-act
Blumenthal Applauds President Obamas Support For Special Advocate In FISA Courts
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023435963
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Wyden Statement on President Obama’s Proposed Reforms to the FISC and PATRIOT ACT [View all]
ProSense
Aug 2013
OP
the Presidency is, in and of itself a job where there will be times they can not be fully truthful--
hlthe2b
Aug 2013
#15
You didn't imply that Cha was a sycophant? If you're not one, and you don't think Cha is one, why
stevenleser
Aug 2013
#18
No... I said I do not support ANYONE without quesion... i.e., I am not a sycophant
hlthe2b
Aug 2013
#20
Acknowledging or even praising the President starting to get behind the constitution
TheKentuckian
Aug 2013
#41
"law that has been secretly interpreted to allow the government to engage in the bulk collection..."
Coyotl
Aug 2013
#9
Notice what Wyden leaves OPEN...where he hits Obama to hold his Balls to the Fire...
KoKo
Aug 2013
#25
Wyden may as well not waste his time. The tiny baby steps Obama proposed were carefully worded
MotherPetrie
Aug 2013
#29
Blumenthal Applauds President Obama’s Support For Special Advocate In FISA Courts
ProSense
Aug 2013
#31
I don't blame Snowden for fleeing to Russia. I think he would be a fool to hang around to experience
MotherPetrie
Aug 2013
#34
Not NEARLY as much as the Obama administration's credibility's been damaged.
MotherPetrie
Aug 2013
#36